John Bartholomew

Perfectionism and time pressure are chronic issues for me. From time to time, I play blitz sessions with the goal of being the aggressor on the clock - even if it means speculative play! Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fins0905 Check out my … [Read more...] about Using the Clock as a Weapon | Blitz Chess #502

When White refrains from the Queen's Gambit after 1.d4 d5, I think it often makes sense to "reverse" things with ...c7-c5 (this is my preferred strategy against the London and Colle Systems). In this game, my opponent attempts to pawn break on the queenside (10.a3 and 11.b4) but soon sheds a pawn on that wing. The middlegame play is instructive, especially as it pertains to … [Read more...] about Reversing the Queen’s Gambit | Standard Chess #277

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 15+10 game against a player rated 1690 on Chess.com. Review this game on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/live/game/3511499546?ref_id=1761842 Support … [Read more...] about Seeking the Initiative | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. senthil1706 (1690)

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 15+10 game against a player rated 1797 on Chess.com. Review this game on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/live/game/3449721871?ref_id=1761842 Support … [Read more...] about Know Your Giuoco Piano | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. mishtup (1797)

My preview of GM Matthew Sadler and WIM Natasha Regan's Game Changer, now available on Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/game-changer-alphazeros-groundbreaking-chess-strategies-and-the-promise-of-ai-/course/19061/ Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitter: … [Read more...] about Game Changer: AlphaZero’s Groundbreaking Chess Strategies and the Promise of AI